You are here

Nashville News and Notes for TUESDAY

Dierks Bentley is giving his fans more insight into his upcoming album. The country star has described "Riser" as very personal, and he's now shedding more light on the project with the documentary "Dierks Bentley: Riser." In the trailer for the film on People.com, the singer explains that his goal with "Riser" is to give fans a "deeper look" at him as a person.

Dierks adds that the movie is very real. He admits he "actually got physically uncomfortable" watching the rough edit, because "it's all in there." The movie covers Bentley's life over the past two years, as he mourned the death of his father, celebrated the birth of his son, went on the road, and worked on "Riser."

"Dierks Bentley: Riser" will have its broadcast premiere on Palladia on February 22nd at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. That same day CMT will present a special preview edit of the film 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Bentley's album "Riser" will arrive in stores on February 25th.

Trace Adkins' Dad's Funeral Set For Wednesday

Trace Adkins will be saying his final goodbyes to his dad this week. CMT.com says the country star's father, Aaron Doyle Adkins, passed away on Saturday in Bossier City, Louisiana. He was 71. His funeral is scheduled to take place in Sarepta, Louisiana on Wednesday. Word surfaced last week that the elder Adkins was very ill,when Trace left a Florida rehab center before finishing his program to be by his ailing father's side. Adkins checked into the facility last month following an alcohol-fueled confrontation with an impersonator.

Rascal Flatts Retooling Sound On New Album

Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus says group members really wanted to challenge themselves musically on their new album. He tells "Country Weekly" working on the project has been "exciting," because they're experimenting in the studio and discovering "what to do" and "more importantly, what not to do." Jay recalls working on some guitar overdubs with bandmate Joe Don Rooney, explaining that after trying a few new things -- and not adding other things -- "it was like a light bulb went off" and they "discovered this cool direction." He adds that Rascal Flatts' latest single, "Rewind," is a good example of what's to come from the group.

Rascal Flatts hasn't offered a title or release date yet for their upcoming album. The disc will be the group's follow up to 2012's "Changed."

The Oak Ridge Boys To Release Live Album

The Oak Ridge Boys are doing something they haven't done in more than 35 years. The country group is releasing a live album. "Boys Night Out" will be just the second collection of concert material from the band, following 1977's "Live." Singer Joe Bonsall admits he's not sure why the group has put off the project for so long. He tells Billboard.com they've "talked about for a long time" and the fans have "been asking for it," but each time they've considered it they would get distracted by another project. But Joe says they started taking recording equipment with them on the road, and after accumulating close to 50 tracks they chose the best 14 songs for the album.

Bonsall points to the hits "Come On In" and "Make My Life With You" as highlights. He adds that the set wouldn't be complete without "Elvira." The Oak Ridge Boys' "Boys Night Out" is expected to be released in the spring.

Taylor Swift Superfan Storms Stage At London Concert

A Taylor Swift superfan gave fans a bit of a scare after rushing the stage during the singer's London concert on Saturday. Photos from her performance at the O2 Arena show an older male fan standing onstage with a stunned but smiling Taylor. The "Daily Mail" reports the man bypassed security, jumped onto the stage platform and handed the star a note before guards dragged him off the stage. Concertgoers told the paper the incident took place just before Taylor's last song of the night. Some audience members apparently thought the fan was a backup dancer, but realized otherwise when he stumbled while running up the stairs.

The Saturday concert also featured appearances from other more welcome guests. Taylor's North American "Red" tour companion Ed Sheeran joined her onstage for a song. The tour has booked an impressive five total nights at the London arena.

Steve Wariner Letting Fans Choose Songs For Upcoming Tour

Steve Wariner wants to play the songs his fans want to hear. So he's letting his audience pick material for his upcoming tour. The country star says he expects his Texas fans to vote for "Bluebonnet Memories," which is also one of his favorites off his album "It Ain't All Bad." Steve adds that he also really likes "48 Ford."

Fans can submit requests via e-mail, and include up to five songs they want to hear during Wariner's shows. Voting is under way now, and will continue through February 28th. Additional details are available at www.stevewariner.com. Steve has also unveiled the first confirmed dates of his tour, which is slated to begin in Goliad, Texas on April 5th.

Steve Wariner Tour Dates

April 5 - Goliad, Texas, at the SchroederDance Hall

April 26 - Cartersville, Georgia, at The Grand Theater

May 8 - Alexandria, Virginia, at the BirchmereMusic Hall

May 9 - Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at the American Music Theater

July 12 - Sealy, Texas, at the Sealybration

July 25 - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the Country Tonite Theater

August 2 - Selma, Texas, at the BlueBonnetPalace

Rhonda Vincent Enjoys Being Original

Rhonda Vincent admits she's not one to follow trends. The bluegrass star says as an artist, copying someone else doesn't make much sense to her .

And Vincent is earning recognition for her original, unique work. The singer was honored this weekend by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America. She was named Entertainer of the Year at the 40th annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards. She's also this year's inductee into the Preservation Hall of Greats. The awards show and induction ceremony took place in Nashville on Sunday, capping off the organization's 31st Midwest Convention.

Florida Georgia Line Share Origins Of Luke Bryan Collaboration

Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley says there's no telling what will inspire a song. The country star says a conversation with Luke Bryan led to their latest single, "This Is How We Roll."

Kelley and his Florida Georgia Line partner Tyler Hubbard wrote "This Is How We Roll" with Bryan and Cole Swindell. And they incorporated Bryan's "shooting bullets at the moon" line in the song. Kelley describes "This Is How We Roll" as "an anthem of life." The singer adds that he's really proud of the song, and he's glad they were able to record the song with Luke as well.

First Round ACM New Artist Voting Ends Today

There's not much time left to cast first round ballots for the Academy of Country Music's New Artist of the Year. Fans still wanting to voice their choice have until 3:00 p.m. Eastern today to cast their ballots at VoteACM.com and GACtv.com/ACM. This year's semi-finalists include Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, and Justin Moore, along with Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Lee Brice, and the group Parmalee.

The first round ballots from both the public and the ACM professional members will determine the three nominees, who'll be announced in the coming weeks. A second round of voting will begin at VoteACM.com on March 24th to pick the winner, who'll be named at the 49th annual ACM Awards. The event will take place in Las Vegas, and air on CBS on April 6th.

Country Birthdays Include

Clint Black is 52.

Today In Country Music History

Today in 1976, the "Searchin' For A Rainbow" album by the Marshall Tucker Band was certified Gold.

Today in 1981, the "Oak Ridge Boys Greatest Hits" album was certified Gold.

Today in 1986, GeorgeStrait's album "Something Special" was certified Gold.

Today in 1994, John Berry's first number one hit, "Your Love Amazes Me," debuted on the country charts.

Today in 1997, Tracy Byrd's self-titled album was certified Gold.

Today in 2002, Sons of the Desert frontman Drew Womack welcomed a new son of his own after his wife, Tara, delivered their first child. Arriving four weeks early, William Maxwell Womack weighed in at six-pounds, 13-ounces and was 18-and-a-half inches long.

Today in 2003, new CD releases included Blake Shelton's "The Dreamer," Steve Wariner's "Steal Another Day," and Alabama's "In The Mood: The Love Songs," while the DVD of the Dixie Chicks' NBC special, "An Evening with the Dixie Chicks," also arrived in stores.

Today in 2005, Dwight Yoakam, Jo Dee Messina, Chris Cagle, and Josh Gracin were among the performers for the Pepsi Smash Concert Series, in conjunction with Super Bowl 39.

Today in 2005, Diamond Rio frontman Marty Roe was honored as 2005 Alumnus of the Year for Nashville's LipscombUniversity. The band also headlined the night's University Homecoming concert.

Today in 2006, Aaron Tippin performed in the Bahamas in support of The Abaco Barb Foundation, an organization that raises awareness and money for the nine remaining horses of that breed.

Today in 2007, Rascal Flatts and Big & Rich were featured in commercials that aired during the Super Bowl 41.

Today in 2008, The Wreckers' Jessica Harp tied the knot with violinist and band mate Jason Mowery in a ceremony at CJ's Off The Square, a local art gallery in Franklin, Tennessee.

Today in 2008, Clay Walker began playing in the week-long AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. It was his eleventh year to participate in the charity golf tournament.

Today in 2009, Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy were named as the 2009 inductees for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Today in 2011, Billy Dean became the first American country singer to appear on Chinese TV. He took part in the annual Spring Festival Global Gala in Beijing, which was taped a month earlier, and was broadcast on this date as part of China's New Year's celebration.